A recurring theme in the scriptures is the reluctance of comfortable and confident people to listen to God’s prophets.
It came to pass that Noah called upon the children of men that they should repent; but they hearkened not unto his words;
And also, after that they had heard him, they came up before him, saying: Behold, we are the sons of God; have we not taken unto ourselves the daughters of men? And are we not eating and drinking, and marrying and giving in marriage? And our wives bear unto us children, and the same are mighty men, which are like unto men of old, men of great renown. And they hearkened not unto the words of Noah.
Moses 8:20-21
Everything was going swimmingly. Why should they listen to a warning from a human being, when they had everything under control?
The people living in Jerusalem at the time of Lehi had reasons to worry about their stability and prosperity, yet they also refused to listen. The Babylonian army had already defeated them, carried their leaders away, and installed a puppet-king named Zedekiah. (See 2 Kings 24.) God sent many prophets, warning them to repent or they would be destroyed (1 Nephi 1:4; 2 Chronicles 36:15). But they mocked and abused those prophets “till there was no remedy” (2 Chronicles 36:16; compare 1 Nephi 1:19-20).
As the Jaredite civilization hurtled toward destruction, God repeatedly sent messengers who were mocked and rejected by the people. (See Ether 7:23-24; 9:28-29; 11:1-2, 12-13, 20-22.) Coriantumr, the last living Jaredite, witnessed that the words of those prophets were fulfilled “every whit” (Ether 15:3).
We sometimes say, “Don’t shoot the messenger,” recognizing the human tendency to reject uncomfortable truths and blame the person who brings them to our attention. Perhaps we should also add, “Don’t ignore the messenger.” People who simply walked away from Noah and went on with their daily lives suffered the same fate as those who actively rejected him. Jesus said, “Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you” (3 Nephi 12:1). That requires active effort on our part, not merely passive acquiescence.
Later today, President Dallin H. Oaks will deliver his first devotional address as president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Because I sustain him as a prophet, I will listen to his message and commit to take specific actions in response to his warnings and invitations. I will remember that human nature leads me to resist change, but that God mercifully sends prophets to prompt the action that invites His saving power into our lives.
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